MARK HASLOCK FROM LLANDUDNO AND RHOSTLLANNERCHRUGOG JAILED FOR CHILD IMAGE OFFENCES

In January 2017, a teacher from Wrexham was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children, some as young as four years old. Mark Haslock, aged 47, who resided in Llandudno, Conwy county, and was employed at Ysgol y Grango in Rhosllanerchrugog, became the focus of a serious criminal investigation following the discovery of a vast collection of illicit material.

The court proceedings revealed that Haslock was convicted of multiple charges, including making indecent photographs of children, possessing such images, and taking an indecent photograph between June 2014 and August 2015. These convictions followed an earlier hearing held in Caernarfon, where the evidence was presented. The police had seized two computers from his home in Elwy Gardens, Llandudno, in August of the previous year, uncovering more than 1,200 images. Among these, over 280 were classified as the most graphic, depicting adults raping or torturing young children.

At the time of the offences, Haslock held the position of head of design and technology at Ysgol y Grango. His arrest and subsequent charges sent shockwaves through the local community and the school. During the court hearing, Judge Peter Heywood, who delivered the verdict via a live link from Swansea Crown Court, described Haslock as a man of previously good character. The judge noted that Haslock had left a career in engineering to pursue teaching after studying at Bangor University. However, the judge emphasized that a darker side of his personality had emerged during the trial.

Haslock claimed that the images were downloaded while he was seeking material for sex education courses and to assist with his master's degree. This explanation was rejected by the jury, although he was acquitted of a voyeurism charge. Judge Heywood remarked that Haslock remained in denial about his actions and did not accept that he deliberately searched for such material, describing his fall from grace as significant.

The court also heard that Haslock had lost his teaching position and would no longer be able to work with children or vulnerable adults. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for the next ten years. Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which aims to prevent him from engaging in activities involving children or vulnerable adults in the future.

In December 2016, prior to the sentencing, Haslock was found guilty of downloading over 1,200 child abuse images. The jury at Caernarfon Crown Court convicted him of three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, one count of possession of an indecent image of a child, and one count of taking an indecent image. He was acquitted of voyeurism charges related to the period between August 1 and August 20 of the previous year.

Following the verdict, Judge Heywood stated that he would not proceed with sentencing immediately, as he required additional information from the probation service. The judge scheduled a further hearing for January 5, where all sentencing options, including the possibility of immediate imprisonment, would be considered. Haslock was granted bail pending this next hearing, which would also determine the conditions of his release.

A spokesperson for Ysgol y Grango indicated that the school would handle Haslock’s future internally, stating that it was now a matter for the school governors. The spokesperson added that, following the conclusion of the criminal case, internal disciplinary procedures would be initiated in accordance with the school's policies and procedures, emphasizing the serious impact of the allegations on his professional standing.